1999 Dodge Durango: excessive oil consumption

Filed Sep 13, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 124,000 miles · NC

I purchased a 1999 durango in jan of 2000. I have had numerous problems including rebuilding the transmission. My biggest complaint is the engine sludge and spark knock. I have had the oil pump and screen replaced twice as well as the upper intake gaskets. It is my understanding that the upper intake gaskets leak internally causing oil consumption, spark knock, and eventually oil sludge and engine failure. Chrysler should do something about the thousands of vehicles that are experiencing these issues.

Filed Oct 19, 2005 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NC

Dt: the contact owns a 1999 dodge durango that experienced an excessive oil consumption problem. The oil was disappearing nearly every 500 miles. There was no smoking or any type of leaks. The contact felt this was a mechanical problem. The vehicle was using four or five quarts of oil rapidly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic shop for inspection. The mechanic replaced the intake manifold. The upper plenum and throttle body was removed to determine the leak site. The gasket that was supposed to seal the intake of the engine block had apparently not adhered to the bottom on the intake and along the engine. The mechanic noted that chrysler made some design corrections, but the cylinder heads will collect and blow over into the engine, and eventually will be expelled from the vehicle on the ground or burned out. It could collect eight to ten quarts before expelling. The repair was made , and a gasket was replaced. This was the second time it was replaced. The gasket did not necessarily fix the problem because the gasket did not permanently adhered to that area. They retracted it due to hot and cold temperatures, and could not adhere as needed. The contact has another 1999 dodge durango that experienced this problem. Also, there was a pinhole on the air conditioner evaporator that allowed the freon to escape and enter in to other durangos.

Filed Apr 11, 2005 · Engine · 79,000 miles · NC

Going on a trip oil pressure gauge went to 0 then back up to normal then back down to 0, check gauge light came on. Pulled off interstate, listened to motor sounded normal, checked oil which was fine, decided it must have been the oil sending unit gone bad gauge had went back to normal, so started back on the road. Then gauge started dropping again, stopped and put 1/2 quart of oil in, engine still sounded fine, started back on the road. Went about 30 miles, motor started knocking. Pulled off the interstate, engine knocking really bad. Turned motor off then back on, engine sounded so bad cut it off and called a wrecker $50.00. Towed it to a dodge dealership who said the motor was blown would cost approximately $5000.00 to fix. Had to rent a car $35.00 a day. Motor never let on there was anything wrong, never used oil, never smoked.

Filed Nov 8, 2004 · Engine · MI

At 41000 miles my 1999 durango 5.9l experienced spark knock and heavy oil consumption. Oil changed at every 3000 miles. Called chrysler for help. They said too old and did not offer any help. I replaced all the valve seals. Did not fix. Replaced the plenum gasket as stated by the technical bulletin. Did not fix. Finally, tore down engine and found a broken oil ring on #8 cylinder. Replaced all rings and bearings. Finally fixed all at my cost. Chrysler did not offer help. Only one thing to say to chrysler, you have one less customer.

Filed Apr 5, 2004 · Engine · 44,500 miles · WA

Oil consumption was in excess after oil change. Changed oil and checked it after approximately 400 miles and found it was a quart low. Watched it close and it was consuming oil fast. Took it to dealer and was told the intake manifold seal/gasket would need to be replaced. Called a mechanic and he told me that this was a common occurrence with the durango, he did one every couple of months! Even the dealer mechanics says they saw this quiet often. One mechanic told me that the seals were made out of a paper like material but now used metal type so the problem will not recur! This is a know defect in this engine. There are several complaints of this nature when I searched on line. The cost is $675.00 + tax. I feel I should be helped with this know engineering defect. This is a very costly repair!

Filed Dec 26, 2003 · Engine, Suspension · 42,000 miles · CO

Purchased used oct 13, 01 41,626 miles oil change dec 12, 01 46,722 mies. Oil change feb 23, 02 50,310 miles. May 15, 02- replaced oil send unit, cleaned / adjusted the rear brakes, system check /reprogramed enignine controller. Ext day oil guage light / fluctuating 0-110. 3 days later oil change , pcv valve replaced, 55,669 miles. *ak july 12, 02 engine blew #2 rod busted . Warrenty company denied repairs due to sludge in engine. Proved 3 oil changes in 6 months I owned vehicle engine & battery cables replaced . August 14, 02 after engine repair drove car to gas station ,turned e off, filled with gas, wouldn't turn over. Car engaged, ticking noise, service dept said normal. Purchased battery. Sept 13, 02 check gauge light on, temperature gauge fluctuate 0-260, oil temp gauge to 110. Told no coolant, told looking for leaks. Told coolant topped off sept 16, 02 oil temp light fluctuated toward 110 mark. Checked oil - quart low. Added quart. Sept17 , 02 green fluid leaking, vehicle towed to dealership. Water pump/ by pass hose replaced. Drove off the lot found air cond not working, compressor not connected sept 22, 2002 engine rev / tachometer stick at 4-5 check transmission / oil levels. Oil 2 quarts low. Oct 10,02 tachometer reved car would not engage . Sensor in transmission out. Replaced sensor. Left shop , at 60 MPH could feel vibration by gas pedal, engine would rev, tachometer would jump. Unable to dup the prolbem. Vehicle hooked to computer no abnormal readings 10/22/02 replaced upper ball joints, tie rods, and shaft, front end alignment. 12/02 purchased 2 tires. 6/03 replaced alternator purchased 2 tires front end alignment . 11/03 replaced starter /battery cables 12/26 dealer service department , engine reving, tachometer jumping, crunch in the front end, car not going into reverse. Replace lower ball joints /4 tires due to uneven wear

Filed Oct 7, 2003 · Engine · 78,000 miles · MI

Vehicle began to spontaneously lose oil at around 78,000 miles, causing oil pressure to drop and spark knock on acceleration. Chrysler admits to intake manifold pan gasket oil leak in their technical service bulletin 09-05-00 but will not assist this consumer with the steep price of repair. Out of warranty - too bad - a defect of this magnitude should be considered as a recall item! Honda, here I come.

Filed Jun 19, 2003 · Engine · 40,000 miles · WA

My 1999 durango started experiencing a spark knock and engine oil consumption due to bad intake gasket design. I have talked to a couple of other durango owners who have experienced the same problem at the same mileage. The gasket can't be properly tightened and oil leaks into the intake causing a knocking under load. The fix costs around $1,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2003 · Engine · 43,430 miles · MD

Check gauge lights goes on and off when making turns or braking. Oil pressure gauge drops down to "0" I had replaced one quart of oil every two weeks. Replaced intake manifold gasket and intake cover pan gasket. Happened while vehicle was still under warranty.

Filed Mar 18, 2003 · Engine · MI

The vehicles intake pan gasket is defective and caused oil to leak from the engine during vehicle operation. The consumer is concerned that leaking oil will result in engine seizure.

Filed May 1, 2002 · Engine · NJ

Consumer stated the accessive sludge build up in engine caused oil pump to shut down. Dealer contacted.

Filed Feb 18, 2002 · Engine · NJ

Drove vehicle from phila, pa area to scranton area for ski weekend. Experienced no problems during this trip or previous to this trip. Return ride back to phila area, oil pressure gauge began to fluctuate to zero then normal. It did this several times before hearing a ticking under he hood at highway speeds, pulled to the side of the road and engine shut down. Vehicle had 28,800 miles at the time and six months left on 3/36 warranty. District manger for chrysler placed a restriction on the warranty due to excessive slude found in the valley of the engine. Vehicle owners manual has two maintenance schedules for oil change, every 3k or every 7.5k; I produced maintenance records for oil changes every 7.5k. I have since found several tsb's on this vehilce regarding oil consumption, etc. I finally had the vehicle towed to the phila area where murray dodge in conshohocken, pa replaced the engine for $5.7k. The oil pump and oil pick up tube were covered under warrantee, but not the long block. It is distressing that the manufacturer will not warrant the repair even with maintenance records. I have found an article in a syndicated newspaper column which indicates that chrysler is at fault for having a mainteance schedule of 7.5k miles in the owners manual, the article also mentions a possible ventilation design flaw which causes condensation and sludge to build up. Tsb # 9923 is in regards to oil seepage past the engine oil filter adapter plate gasket. My mechanic indicated to me that this may cause a ventilation problem with this engine. Tsb#090699 is in regards to engine oil consumption due to intake manifold pan gasket oil leak. Tsb# 090500 is regarding oil consumption due to leak also. I am uncertain if this is an engine problem or an oil pump problem. When I asked customer relations at chrysler, they indicated there were no reported problems with this engine. Scranton dodge and murray dodge service managers also denied any problems with this engine.*a